US (1975): Mystery/Thriller
Previously filmed in 1942 as The Falcon Takes Over and in 1944 as Murder, My Sweet, Raymond Chandler's Farewell My Lovely was given its third cinematic go-round under its original title in 1975. Spouting the Chandlerish prose as if it were second nature, Robert Mitchum stars as 1940s private eye Philip Marlowe, hired by the goonish Moose Malloy (Jack O'Halloran) to locate his former girl friend. This involves Marlowe in the theft of a jade necklace, which in turn leads to murder. All roads seemingly lead to adventuress Mrs. Grayle (Charlotte Rampling), wealthily married but far from satisfied. Dick Richards directs a cast that also features John Ireland, Sylvia Miles, Anthony Zerbe, Harry Dean Stanton and Sylvester Stallone.
The film works overtime to convey its historical period, even accommodating lapses into the vernacular that might today be considered politically incorrect (example: Moose Malloy assesses an all-black nightclub as "a shine box"). Speaking realistically, Robert Mitchum is too old for the part of Philip Marlowe, but one tends to forget this five minutes into his superb performance. Mitchum would repeat his Marlowe characterization in 1978's The Big Sleep, which, like Farewell My Lovely, was (believe it or not) filmed entirely in England. (EK, ITC / AVCO Embassy) (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)
1 nomination
· Supporting Actress 1975: Sylvia Miles